PM: Equal rights for all

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/7/23/nation/6721796&sec=nation

Friday July 23, 2010

PM: Equal rights for all

By DIANA ROSE
drose@thestar.com.my


MIRI: All Malaysians including those living in the most remote of settlements like Long Banga in Ulu Baram have equal rights to better themselves under the 1Malaysia principle.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said yesterday that the 1Malaysia principle assured all Malaysians an equal opportunity.

“Through this concept of inclusive development, social justice will be achievable,” he told some 2,000 members of the Orang Ulu community during a gathering at the Long Banga Community Hall here yesterday.

At the function, Najib announced five projects worth about RM107.5mil. Some RM100mil is to be used to upgrade the Beluru-Lapok road, which is the main highway linking the interior of Baram to Miri.

Another RM1mil will go to tar-seal the road linking an airstrip to Long Banga and RM6mil for a mini hydro project to provide electricity to 148 households in the longhouse.

PHOTO: Let’s dance: Najib taking part in an orang ulu community dance together with local folk on the Sungai Puak bridge some 360km from Miri in Sarawak Thursday. Najib, who was on a one-day working visit to Sarawak, had officiated the opening of the bridge. Also dancing to the beat are Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu (behind Najib) and Baram MP Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan (third from right).

Najib also announced RM500,000 for the construction of a rural clinic at Long Jekitan which would benefit the Penans.

The Rubber Industry Smallholders Develop­ment Authority would increase the subsidy for the replanting of rubber trees from RM10,000 to RM14.000 per hectare next year.

Najib’s visit was a historic event for the Orang Ulu community, who comprise the Kenyah, Kayan, Kelabit, Saban and Penan. Some had to travel by land for more than a day on rough timber roads to meet the Najib.

During the function, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang surprised the Prime Minister with a birthday cake in the form of a 1Malaysia logo. Najib turns 57 today.

Penghulu Lejau Kulleh from Long Lama said: “I am very proud that we have a Prime Minister who is willing to visit us in Ulu Baram.’’